Android Gets Smartphone Flash

One of the most common technologies for watching video on a computer is now available on smartphones, according to a BBC News article.

The article further explains that 'Flash software is used to deliver around 75% of online video and is the key technology that drives websites such as YouTube'.

The new 10.1 version of Flash was unveiled at the Google I/O conference in San Francisco. It will only run on Android's latest version 2.2.

'It turns out on the Internet people use Flash', said Google engineering VP Vic Gundotra. 'And part of being open means being inclusive rather than exclusive', he added, in an obvious dig at Apple.

Adobe representatives said they 'worked hard' to ensure their Flash doesn't suck up too much battery power too quickly.

Apple are against using Flash on their handsets for more reasons than the poor performance. Flash has one of the worst security records for 2009 (if not the worst). Steve Jobs said Flash was the number one reason Macs crash. And its performance on non-Windows platforms has been nothing less than abysmal.

'Flash will still not be available on Apple's popular iPhone, which uses a proprietary Apple operating system', add the BBC.

And Google's Gundotra stuck in another dig.

'A special thank you to Adobe for their willingness to work with us and engage with us. It's much nicer than just saying no.'

Adobe claim Flash 10.1 will support touch screens and take advantage of faster mobile processors. All but one of the major handset makers plan to offer devices running the 'new' Flash.